Method and apparatus for monitoring and ensuring air quality in a building

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for transforming the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate space into the air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space, said apparatus comprising: a housing for mounting to a surface of the higher air exchange rate space; an air inlet formed in said housing; at least one air outlet formed in said housing; a passageway extending through said housing and connecting said air inlet to said at least one air outlet; a circulation fan disposed in said passageway so as to draw the air of the higher air exchange rate space into said air inlet, through said passageway, and return that air to the higher air exchange rate space through said at least one air outlet; and a filter disposed in said passageway for purging noxious substances from the air passing through said passageway.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/824,997, filed May 18, 2013 by FIPAKResearch And Development Company and Stephan Hauville et al. for METHODAND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AIR IN A LABORATORY BUILDING (Attorney'sDocket No. FIPAK-16 PROV), which patent application is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring andensuring air quality in a building. More particularly, this inventionrelates to methods and apparatus for monitoring air quality in abuilding, for ensuring air quality in a building, and for advisingpersonnel in the event of possible issues with the air quality in abuilding. Among other things, this invention relates to methods andapparatus for handling air in a laboratory space (or other buildingspace) where the presence of noxious substances (e.g., hazardouschemicals) would normally require an increased rate of air exchanges forthat laboratory space (or other building space) in order to ensure thecomfort and/or safety of the occupants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern building codes require that the air in a room of a building becirculated a minimum number of times in a given period of time in orderto ensure the comfort and/or safety of the occupants, e.g., it is commonfor modern building codes to require a minimum of 2-4 air exchanges perhour for each room of the building.

However, in some areas of some buildings (e.g., laboratory spaces,hospital spaces, anatomy labs, animal care facilities, utility roomscontaining heating systems and the like, garages, locker rooms, etc.),the presence of noxious substances (e.g., hazardous chemicals) mayrequire a higher rate of air exchanges in order to ensure the comfortand/or safety of the occupants.

By way of example but not limitation, in a laboratory space wherechemicals are handled on the open bench, without the protection of afumehood, a higher rate of air exchanges (e.g., 8-12 air exchanges perhour) may be mandated in order to ensure the comfort and/or safety ofthe occupants. This higher rate of air exchanges is in addition to, andis not a substitute for, any fumehoods which may be provided in thelaboratory space.

It will be appreciated that the higher rate of air exchanges for theselaboratory spaces, while extremely important for the comfort and/orsafety of the occupants, are nonetheless expensive due to the energyloss associated with the air exchange process.

More particularly, the air exchanges are typically effected using theambient air outside the building, and this outside ambient air mustgenerally be conditioned (e.g., heated or cooled) before it isintroduced into the laboratory space as replacement air for thelaboratory space. This heating or cooling consumes energy, and energy isexpensive. This is particularly true in colder and warmer climates,since more heating or cooling must be effected for the ambient outsideair prior to introducing that air into the laboratory space asreplacement air.

In view of this, it will be appreciated that energy costs aresignificantly higher for laboratory spaces (and/or other buildingspaces) which require an increased rate of air exchanges (e.g., 8-12 airexchanges per hour) than for those rooms which do not require anincreased rate of air exchanges (e.g., only 2-4 air exchanges per hour).

Thus there is a need for a new approach for handling air in a laboratoryspace (and/or other building spaces) which would normally require anincreased rate of air exchanges (e.g., 8-12 air exchanges per hour), inorder to reduce the energy losses associated with the increased rate ofair exchanges.

In addition, there is also a need for monitoring the air quality in abuilding, and particularly for monitoring the air quality in buildingspaces where noxious substances (e.g., hazardous chemicals) may bepresent, and for advising personnel in the event of possible issues withthe air quality in those spaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new approach for handling air in alaboratory space (and/or other building spaces) which would normallyrequire an increased rate of air exchanges (e.g., 8-12 air exchanges perhour), in order to reduce the energy losses associated with theincreased rate of air exchanges.

In addition, the present invention provides a new approach formonitoring the air quality in a building, and particularly formonitoring the air quality in building spaces where noxious substances(e.g., hazardous chemicals) may be present, and for advising personnelin the event of possible issues with the air quality in those spaces.

In one preferred form of the invention, there is provided apparatus fortransforming the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate spaceinto the air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space, saidapparatus comprising:

a housing for mounting to a surface of the higher air exchange ratespace;

an air inlet formed in said housing;

at least one air outlet formed in said housing;

a passageway extending through said housing and connecting said airinlet to said at least one air outlet;

a circulation fan disposed in said passageway so as to draw the air ofthe higher air exchange rate space into said air inlet, through saidpassageway, and return that air to the higher air exchange rate spacethrough said at least one air outlet; and

a filter disposed in said passageway for purging noxious substances fromthe air passing through said passageway, whereby to transform the airexchange load of a higher air exchange rate space into the air exchangeload of a lower air exchange rate space.

In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a methodfor handling the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate spacein a building having an air exchange system, said method comprising:

providing apparatus for transforming the air exchange load of a higherair exchange rate space into the air exchange load of a lower airexchange rate space, said apparatus comprising:

-   -   a housing for mounting to a surface of the higher air exchange        rate space;    -   an air inlet formed in said housing;    -   at least one air outlet formed in said housing;    -   a passageway extending through said housing and connecting said        air inlet to said at least one air outlet;    -   a circulation fan disposed in said passageway so as to draw the        air of the higher air exchange rate space into said air inlet,        through said passageway, and return that air to the higher air        exchange rate space through said at least one air outlet; and    -   a filter disposed in said passageway for purging noxious        substances from the air passing through said passageway;

positioning said apparatus in the higher air exchange rate space, andoperating said apparatus so as to transform the air exchange load of ahigher air exchange rate space into the air exchange load of a lower airexchange rate space; and

operating the air exchange system of the building so as to provide alower air exchange rate to the higher air exchange rate space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will bemore fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is tobe considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein likenumbers refer to like parts, and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a novel air treatment device formed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one preferred filter which may be used inthe novel air treatment device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another novel air treatment device formedin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of still another novel air treatment deviceformed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 5-8 are schematic views of yet another novel air treatment deviceformed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGS. 9-17 are schematic views of another novel air treatment deviceformed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a new approach for handling air in alaboratory space (and/or other building spaces) which would normallyrequire an increased rate of air exchanges (e.g., 8-12 air exchanges perhour), in order to reduce the energy losses associated with theincreased rate of air exchanges.

More particularly, the present invention provides a novel air treatmentdevice which purges noxious substances (e.g., hazardous chemicals) fromthe air of a laboratory space (and/or other building spaces such ashospital spaces, anatomy labs, animal care facilities, utility roomscontaining heating systems and the like, garages, locker rooms, etc.).The novel air treatment device is installed in a laboratory space(and/or other building spaces) which would normally require an increasedrate of air exchanges (e.g., 8-12 air exchanges per hour) in order toallow the laboratory space (and/or other building spaces) to be operatedat a reduced rate of air exchanges (e.g., 2-4 air exchanges per hour)while still ensuring the comfort and safety of the occupants. Thus, byusing the novel air treatment device of the present invention in alaboratory space (and/or other building spaces) which would normallyrequire an increased rate of air exchanges, the rate of air exchangesfor the laboratory space (and/or other building spaces) may be reduced,whereby to reduce the energy losses associated with the air exchangeprocess.

In addition, the present invention provides a new approach formonitoring the air quality in a building, and particularly formonitoring the air quality in building spaces where noxious substances(e.g., hazardous chemicals) may be present, and for advising personnelin the event of possible issues with the air quality in those spaces.

In one form of the invention, and looking now at FIG. 1, there isprovided a novel air treatment device 5 which comprises a housing 10which is preferably secured to the ceiling of a laboratory space (and/orother building spaces such as hospital spaces, anatomy labs, animal carefacilities, utility rooms containing heating systems and the like,garages, locker rooms, etc.). Housing 10 defines an air inlet 15, atleast one air outlet 20, and a passageway 25 extending through housing10 and connecting air inlet 15 with the at least one air outlet 20. Acirculation fan 30 is disposed in passageway 25 so as to draw the air ofa laboratory space (and/or other building spaces such as hospitalspaces, anatomy labs, animal care facilities, utility rooms containingheating systems and the like, garages, locker rooms, etc.) into airinlet 15, move that air through passageway 25, and then return that airto the laboratory space (and/or other building spaces such as hospitalspaces, anatomy labs, animal care facilities, utility rooms containingheating systems and the like, garages, locker rooms, etc.) through theat least one air outlet 20. Air inlet 15, the at least one air outlet20, passageway 25 and circulation fan 30 are configured so as to ensurethat substantially all of the air in a given space is circulated throughnovel air treatment device 5 on a regular and frequent basis.

In accordance with the present invention, novel air treatment device 5includes a filter 35 which is adapted for purging noxious substances(e.g., hazardous chemicals) from air. More particularly, filter 35 isdisposed in passageway 25 so that air from a laboratory space (and/orother building spaces such as hospital spaces, anatomy labs, animal carefacilities, utility rooms containing heating systems and the like,garages, locker rooms, etc.), passing through passageway 25, is filteredby filter 35, whereby to remove noxious substances (e.g., hazardouschemicals) from the air of the laboratory space (and/or other buildingspaces). Thus, novel air treatment device 5 draws in the air of thelaboratory space (and/or other building spaces), filters that air so asto purge noxious substances (e.g., hazardous chemicals) from the air,and then returns the filtered air back to the laboratory space (and/orother building spaces), with substantially no loss of air and,significantly, with substantially no change in the heat content of theair.

As a result, inasmuch as novel air treatment device 5 removes noxioussubstances (e.g., hazardous chemicals) from the air of the laboratoryspace (and/or other building spaces such as hospital spaces, anatomylabs, animal care facilities, utility rooms containing heating systemsand the like, garages, locker rooms, etc.), the rate of air exchangesfor that laboratory space (and/or other building spaces) may be reducedfrom the increased rate of air exchanges (e.g., 8-12 air exchanges perhour) normally associated with that laboratory space (and/or otherbuilding spaces) to the “normal” rate of air exchanges (e.g., 2-4 airexchanges per hour) for a standard room in the building. In this way,the air exchange rate for a laboratory space (and/or other buildingspaces) which would traditionally require a higher rate of air exchanges(e.g., 8-12 air exchanges per hour) may be reduced to that of a roomrequiring a standard rate of air exchanges (e.g., 2-4 air exchanges perhour), whereby to significantly reduce the energy losses associated withthe air exchanges.

In essence, novel air treatment device 5 effectively transforms the “airexchange load” of a “higher air exchange rate space” (e.g., onerequiring 8-12 air exchanges per hour) into the “air exchange load” of a“lower air exchange rate space” (e.g., one requiring 2-4 air exchangesper hour), whereby to significantly reduce the energy losses associatedwith the air exchange process, while still ensuring the comfort and/orsafety of the occupants.

Significantly, in addition to providing a reduction in the energy lossesassociated with the air exchange process, novel air treatment device 5also provides higher quality air for the occupants of the laboratoryspace (and/or other building spaces such as hospital spaces, anatomylabs, animal care facilities, utility rooms containing heating systemsand the like, garages, locker rooms, etc.). This is because novel airtreatment device 5 actively purges noxious substances (e.g., hazardouschemicals) from the air of the laboratory space (and/or other buildingspaces), rather than simply diluting them with an increased rate of airexchange.

As discussed above, filter 35 is designed to purge noxious substances(e.g., hazardous chemicals) from the laboratory space air. Moreparticularly, filter 35 is configured to remove chemicals from the airof the laboratory space, wherein those chemicals may comprisenon-particulates, including fumes, vapors, volatiles, etc. In onepreferred form of the invention, filter 35 is configured to remove atleast one of solvents, acids and bases from the air of the laboratoryspace. In one particularly preferred form of the invention, filter 35 isconfigured to remove at least two of solvents, acids and bases from theair of the laboratory space.

Filter 35 may be of the sort commonly utilized in ductless fumehoods.Preferably filter 35 is a Neutrodine® filter of the sort sold by Erlabof Rowley, Mass., USA (see FIG. 2), which is a cassette-based,multi-stage filter capable of simultaneously handling a multitude ofdifferent chemical families, e.g., solvents, acids and bases. If filter35 is not a cassette-based, multi-stage filter, it may comprise severalindependent filters arranged in series so as to ensure effective purgingof noxious substances (e.g., hazardous chemicals).

It will be appreciated that one or more novel air treatment devices 5may be used for each laboratory space (and/or other building spaces suchas hospital spaces, anatomy labs, animal care facilities, utility roomscontaining heating systems and the like, garages, locker rooms, etc.),depending upon the size of the laboratory space (and/or other buildingspaces) and the capacity of novel air treatment device 5. Thus, forexample, in a typical chemistry laboratory of 1000 square feet, fivenovel air treatment devices 5 may be provided to service the laboratoryspace.

In one preferred form of the invention, novel air treatment device 5includes one or more sensors 40 (FIG. 1) for monitoring proper functionof the operational elements of the novel air treatment device (e.g.,circulation fan 30 and filter 35, etc.), and these sensors 40 arepreferably connected (e.g., by wire or wireless communication 41) to amonitoring system 42 for activating an alarm 43 (e.g., an audible alarmand/or a visual, light-based alarm) in the event that proper function ofthe operational elements (e.g., circulation fan 30 and filter 35, etc.)is interrupted.

Alternatively, or additionally, sensors 40 may be connected (e.g., bywire or wireless communication 41) to the master air control system 44for the building. In the event that proper function of one or more ofthe operational elements (e.g., circulation fan 30, filter 35, etc.) ofone or more novel air treatment device(s) 5 is interrupted, master aircontrol system 44 for the building can automatically increase the rateof air exchanges for the affected laboratory space (and/or otherbuilding spaces such as hospital spaces, anatomy labs, animal carefacilities, utility rooms containing heating systems and the like,garages, locker rooms, etc.), e.g., from the “normal” rate of airexchanges (e.g., 2-4 air exchanges per hour) to the higher rate of airexchanges (e.g., 8-12 air changes per hour), whereby to ensure thecomfort and/or safety of the occupants of that laboratory space (and/orother building spaces).

In one preferred form of the invention, novel air treatment device 5 ismounted to the ceiling of the laboratory space (and/or other buildingspaces such as hospital spaces, anatomy labs, animal care facilities,utility rooms containing heating systems and the like, garages, lockerrooms, etc.), so that the novel air treatment device does not interferewith normal space function and has ready access to the air in thelaboratory space (and/or other building spaces). Note that where thelaboratory space (and/or other building spaces) has a “drop-down”ceiling, a portion of novel air treatment device 5 may protrude up intothe region above the “drop-down” ceiling.

Alternatively, novel air treatment device 5 may be configured to bemounted to a wall of the laboratory space (and/or other buildingspaces), or to both the ceiling and a wall of the laboratory space(and/or other building spaces).

Also, novel air treatment device 5 can be free-standing, e.g., housing10 may be mounted to a base which sits on the floor of the laboratoryspace (and/or other building spaces).

Significantly, the present invention provides a new approach formonitoring the air quality in a building, and particularly formonitoring the air quality in building spaces where noxious substances(e.g., hazardous chemicals) may be present, and for advising personnelin the event of possible issues with the air quality in those spaces. Tothis end, novel air treatment device 5 preferably further comprises asensor 46 for monitoring the air quality of the ambient air in thelaboratory space (and/or other building spaces). Sensor 46 is preferablyconnected (e.g., by wire or wireless communication 41) to monitoringsystem 42 for activating alarm 43 (e.g., an audible alarm and/or avisual light-based alarm) in the event that the air quality of theambient air in the laboratory space (and/or other building spaces)should deteriorate below a predetermined air quality level.

If desired, in order to give novel air treatment device 5 a “weightless”appearance on the ceiling of the laboratory space (and/or other buildingspaces), and looking now at FIG. 3, novel air treatment device 5 mayhave a dark base 45 at the portions where it attaches to the ceiling ofthe laboratory space (and/or other building spaces), and a band of light50 set about the perimeter portion of novel air treatment device 5 whichprojects into the laboratory space (and/or other building spaces). Thisband of light 50 may be purely decorative, e.g., it may be a light bluelight to create a desired ambience for the laboratory space (and/orother building spaces); or the band of light 50 may be functional, e.g.,it may be a “white” light to provide illumination for the laboratoryspace (and/or other building spaces).

Furthermore, this band of light 50 may comprise a continuous band oflight such as is shown in FIG. 3, or it may comprise an interrupted bandof light created by a plurality of point sources 55 (e.g., LED lights)such as is shown in FIG. 4.

In addition, if desired, band of light 50 may be informational, e.g.,band of light 50 may have one color (e.g., blue) if novel air treatmentdevice 5 is functioning properly and/or if the air quality of theambient air in the laboratory space (and/or other building spaces)remains above a predetermined air quality level; and band of light 50may have another color (e.g., red) if the novel air treatment device isnot functioning properly and/or if the air quality of the ambient air inthe laboratory space (and/or other building spaces) deteriorates below apredetermined air quality level. Thus, in this form of the invention,band of light 50 may serve the same purpose as a visual, light-basedalarm 43 (and, in this form of the invention, band of light 50 may becontrolled by monitoring system 42, which is connected to sensors 40 andsensors 46).

In one preferred form of the invention, novel air treatment device 5 hasits sensors 40 and sensors 46 connected to monitoring system 42, andmonitoring system 42 is connected to a visual alarm 43 and/or band oflight 50, and monitoring system 42 is programmed to change the state ofalarm 43 and/or band of light 50, in the event that (i) the operationalelements (e.g., circulation fan 30, filter 35, etc.) of novel airtreatment device 5 are not functioning properly, or (ii) the air qualityof the ambient air in the laboratory space (and/or other buildingspaces) should deteriorate below a predetermined air quality level. Inthis way, a person located in the laboratory space (and/or otherbuilding spaces) will know, simply by observing the state of alarm 43and/or band of light 50, if the novel air treatment device requiresservicing (e.g., to change a depleted filter 35, etc.) and/or if the airquality of the ambient air in the laboratory space (and/or otherbuilding spaces) has deteriorated below a predetermined air qualitylevel. In this respect it will also be appreciated that, by placingnovel air treatment device 5 on the ceiling of the laboratory space(and/or other building spaces), and by extending band of light 50 aboutthe entire perimeter of housing 10 (or at least substantial portionsthereof), a person located substantially anywhere in the laboratoryspace (and/or other building spaces) will generally have a direct lineof sight to band of light 50 of novel air treatment device 5, whereby tobe quickly and easily informed as to the operational status of novel airtreatment device 5 and the air quality of the ambient air in thelaboratory space (and/or other building spaces).

Alternatively, and/or additionally, novel air treatment device 5 may beconfigured so that band of light 50 may be continuously on if novel airtreatment device 5 is functioning properly, and blinking if the novelair treatment device is not functioning properly.

FIGS. 5-8 show another preferred construction for novel air treatmentdevice 5. In the construction shown in FIGS. 5-8, filter 35 is receivedin a “drop down” tray 60 which is hingedly connected to housing 10,i.e., when filter 35 is to be replaced, “drop down” tray 60 is loweredfrom housing 10, a new filter 35 is loaded, and then “drop down” tray 60is reset into housing 10.

FIGS. 9-17 show still another preferred construction for novel airtreatment device 5.

MODIFICATIONS

While the present invention has been described in terms of certainexemplary preferred embodiments, it will be readily understood andappreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, andthat many additions, deletions and modifications may be made to thepreferred embodiments discussed herein without departing from the scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for transforming the air exchange loadof a higher air exchange rate space into the air exchange load of alower air exchange rate space, said apparatus comprising: a housing formounting to a surface of the higher air exchange rate space; an airinlet formed in said housing; at least one air outlet formed in saidhousing; a passageway extending through said housing and connecting saidair inlet to said at least one air outlet; a circulation fan disposed insaid passageway so as to draw the air of the higher air exchange ratespace into said air inlet, through said passageway, and return that airto the higher air exchange rate space through said at least one airoutlet; and a filter disposed in said passageway for purging noxioussubstances from the air passing through said passageway, whereby totransform the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate space intothe air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space.
 2. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said housing is configured for securementto at least one of a ceiling and wall of the higher air exchange ratespace.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing isconfigured for securement to the ceiling of the higher air exchange ratespace, wherein the ceiling is a drop-down ceiling, and further wherein aportion of the housing extends into the region above the drop-downceiling.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said filter isconfigured to remove chemicals from the air of the higher air exchangerate space.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said filter isconfigured to remove non-particulates from the air of the higher airexchange rate space.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein saidfilter is configured to remove at least one of fumes, vapors andvolatiles from the air of the higher air exchange rate space. 7.Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said filter is configured toremove at least one of solvents, acids, and bases from the air of thehigher air exchange rate space.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7wherein said filter is configured to remove at least two of solvents,acids, and bases from the air of the higher air exchange rate space. 9.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said filter is received in a traywhich is hingedly connected to said housing.
 10. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further comprising at least one sensor for monitoring properfunction of at least one of said fan and said filter.
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 10 further comprising an alarm connected to said atleast one sensor for indicating malfunction of at least one of said fanand said filter.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said alarmis an audible alarm.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein saidalarm is a visual, light-based alarm.
 14. Apparatus according to claim10 wherein said at least one sensor is connected to the air exchangesystem of the building housing the higher air exchange rate space, suchthat in the event of a malfunction of at least one of said fan and saidfilter, the air exchange system of the building can increase the airexchange rate of the higher air exchange rate space.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said apparatus transforms the air exchangeload of an 8-12 air exchanges per hour space into the air exchange loadof a 2-4 air exchanges per hour space.
 16. Apparatus according to claim1 further comprising at least one sensor for monitoring the ambient airof the higher air exchange rate space.
 17. Apparatus according to claim16 further comprising an alarm connected to said at least one sensor forindicating if the air quality of the ambient air of the higher airexchange rate space deteriorates below a predetermined air qualitylevel.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at leastone first sensor for monitoring proper function of at least one of saidfan and said filter, at least one second sensor for monitoring theambient air of the higher air exchange rate space, and an alarmconnected to said at least one first sensor and said at least one secondsensor for indicating the occurrence of at least one from the groupconsisting of a malfunction of at least one of said fan and said filter,and deterioration of the air quality of the ambient air of the higherair exchange rate space below a predetermined air quality level. 19.Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said alarm is a visual,light-based alarm.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein saidvisual, light-based alarm comprises a band of light mounted to saidhousing.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said visual,light-based alarm indicates the occurrence of an event by changing thecolor of said band of light.
 22. Apparatus according to claim 20 whereinsaid visual, light-based alarm indicates the occurrence of an event byblinking said band of light.
 23. A method for handling the air exchangeload of a higher air exchange rate space in a building having an airexchange system, said method comprising: providing apparatus fortransforming the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate spaceinto the air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space, saidapparatus comprising: a housing for mounting to a surface of the higherair exchange rate space; an air inlet formed in said housing; at leastone air outlet formed in said housing; a passageway extending throughsaid housing and connecting said air inlet to said at least one airoutlet; a circulation fan disposed in said passageway so as to draw theair of the higher air exchange rate space into said air inlet, throughsaid passageway, and return that air to the higher air exchange ratespace through said at least one air outlet; and a filter disposed insaid passageway for purging noxious substances from the air passingthrough said passageway; positioning said apparatus in the higher airexchange rate space, and operating said apparatus so as to transform theair exchange load of a higher air exchange rate space into the airexchange load of a lower air exchange rate space; and operating the airexchange system of the building so as to provide a lower air exchangerate to the higher air exchange rate space.
 24. A method according toclaim 23 further comprising at least one sensor for monitoring properfunction of at least one of said fan and said filter.
 25. A methodaccording to claim 24 further comprising an alarm connected to said atleast one sensor for indicating malfunction of at least one of said fanand said filter.
 26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said alarmis an audible alarm.
 27. A method according to claim 25 wherein saidalarm is a visual, light-based alarm.
 28. A method according to claim 24wherein said at least one sensor is connected to the air exchange systemof the building and, in the event of a malfunction of at least one ofsaid fan and said filter, operating the air exchange system of thebuilding so as to provide a higher air exchange rate to the higher airexchange rate space.
 29. A method according to claim 23 wherein saidapparatus transforms the air exchange load of an 8-12 air exchanges perhour space into the air exchange load of a 2-4 air exchanges per hourspace.
 30. A method according to claim 23 further comprising at leastone sensor for monitoring the ambient air of the higher air exchangerate space.
 31. A method according to claim 30 further comprising analarm connected to said at least one sensor for indicating if the airquality of the ambient air of the higher air exchange rate spacedeteriorates below a predetermined air quality level.
 32. A methodaccording to claim 23 further comprising at least one first sensor formonitoring proper function of at least one of said fan and said filter,at least one second sensor for monitoring the ambient air of the higherair exchange rate space, and an alarm connected to said at least onefirst sensor and said at least one second sensor for indicating theoccurrence of at least one from the group consisting of a malfunction ofat least one of said fan and said filter, and deterioration of the airquality of the ambient air of the higher air exchange rate space below apredetermined air quality level.
 33. A method according to claim 32wherein said alarm is a visual, light-based alarm.
 34. A methodaccording to claim 33 wherein said visual, light-based alarm comprises aband of light mounted to said housing.
 35. A method according to claim34 wherein said visual, light-based alarm indicates the occurrence of anevent by changing the color of said band of light.
 36. A methodaccording to claim 34 wherein said visual, light-based alarm indicatesthe occurrence of an event by blinking said band of light.